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ARCHIVED - Retirement: Warrant Officer Ian Smith

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Article / May 22, 2015

Warrant Officer (WO) Smith is currently the Troop Sergeant Major (TSM) of 31 Battery, the training formation of the Regiment.

Born in Coryton, England, Warrant Officer Smith moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1967 where he joined the Regiment on June 30th, 1983 after graduating secondary school. He enrolled as a Private in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves but was soon after promoted to the rank of Bombardier in 1984 for his leadership qualities.

In addition to his commitment to the Regiment, he also continued his education at a post-secondary institution and attended a number of military trade courses in order to advance both his military and civilian careers. As a result of his remarkable service, Warrant Officer Smith was selected to attend his Combat Leadership Course in the summer of 1986 at the Area Rank and Training School (ARTS) in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

In dedication to Canada, Warrant Officer Smith transferred to the Regular Force in February 1987, where he was subsequently posted to J Battery, 3rd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery as a detachment member on a M109A3.

Shortly thereafter, he completed his Artillery Survey Course and was transferred to the Headquarters and Service Battery in which he was a member of the Survey Troop. During his time with the 3rd Regiment Warrant Officer Smith participated in a multitude of nation-wide exercises including: Rendevous (RV) ’87, Waincon ’88, and Renedevouz ’89; he was also tasked with supporting Prairie Milcon ’88 and the National Rank and Qualifications School (NRQS) ’89, located in Shilo, Manitoba.

Warrant Officer Smith particularly enjoyed his time with Survey Troop until leaving the Regular Force in February 1990. Warrant Officer Smith rejoined the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA where he continued to serve the Guns as a member of a detachment.

At the time, a then-Bombardier Smith, continued to progress his career with the Canadian Armed Forces and was promoted to the rank of Master Bombardier. Warrant Officer Smith allocated much of his time to instructing courses at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Shilo, Manitoba while continuing to participate in Regimental Exercises and activities.

Warrant Officer Smith transferred to the Supplementary Ready Reserve (SRR) in 1992 after the birth of his first child in order to better balance his civilian and military life. He returned to the Primary Reserve in June 1994.

In the summer of 1995, Warrant Officer Smith returned to CFB Shilo to complete Module 1 of his Detachment Commanders course; he became fully qualified as a Detachment Commander after completing Module 2 the following year. As a devoted and respected member of the Regiment, then-Master Bombardier Smith was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

In continued support of the Canadian Armed Forces, Warrant Officer Smith participated in Operation Mandarin, a mission to support the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference during the fall of 1997. His work during Op Mandarin earned him a Commanders Commendation.

Over the next few years, Warrant Officer Smith continued to instruct on training courses for future leaders in the Canadian Armed Forces as a 2nd In-Command (2IC). It was during this time that he also participated in Operation Abacus in 1999 and Operation Peregrine in 2003.

In the spring of 2007, Warrant Officer Smith attended a Gun Area Troop Sergeant Major (GATSM) course at the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA. After successful completion of this course, Warrant Officer Smith became the Troop Sergeant Major (TSM) for 68 Battery, the firing formation of the Regiment.

Warrant Officer Smith was presented with his 22 year service clasp for the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) in 2008.

After his ideal display as a Sergeant in the Canadian Armed Forces, Warrant Officer Smith was promoted to his current rank in 2010 during the New Year’s Levee. 2 years later in 2012, Warrant Officer Smith was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Canadian Federation of Municipalities after being nominated by his co-workers.

Upon retirement from the Regiment and the Canadian Armed Forces, Warrant Officer Smith intends to do some travelling, spend time with his spouse, Ellen, and his two children, Kathleen and Brendan, as well as catch up on unfinished projects.

The Depart with Dignity (DWD) ceremony for Warrant Officer Smith will be held in the Warrant Officer’s and Sergeants’ Mess of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA on Canada Day. Please send any retirement messages, stories or notes to his Retirement Function Coordinator Sergeant Donato Calogero. Messages will be read at the function in his honour.